Gânica receives investment from Mosaic with participation from SP Ventures and Nitro

Gânica, an industry specializing in bio-inputs, received investment from Mosaic with the participation of current investors SP Ventures and Nitro. This is Gânica's third round of investment in less than seven years since its founding. The capital will be invested in accelerating the company's growth plan and exploring the research opportunities that biotechnology provides.

“With the entry of Mosaic, the largest global producer of combined phosphates and potassium, Agtech intends to accelerate its plan to be the largest platform in regenerative solutions for Brazilian agriculture. “Products of biological origin and fertilizers are increasingly interconnected, in this sense, we hope to obtain insights into markets and technologies that have global relevance for agribusiness”, points out Marcos Petean, CEO of Gânica.

According to him, Gânica has been recording 100% annual growth in its revenue since 2019 and, this year alone, it plans to launch four products, reaching a total of 22 in the portfolio. Bioinputs have been a fundamental element in the management of pests and diseases in agriculture, contributing to greater profitability in the field and providing benefits related to safety in the production of food, fiber and energy.

“We develop bioinputs from fungi, bacteria, viruses and some organic compounds that deliver excellent results in the field”, explains Petean. “We will continue to expand our product lines and intensify our operations in the main agricultural markets in Latin America and, with Mosaic’s support, we can take advantage of opportunities that exist worldwide”, reveals Petean.

For the president of Mosaic Fertilizers, Corrine Ricard, the partnership with Gânica will accelerate the process of guaranteeing food security for the population through the bioinputs market. “Mosaic Fertilizers believes and invests in this technology to transform the availability of food in the world. At the same time, the company reinforces its commitment to its global strategy to accelerate soil health solutions for farmers through the development of new products and investments in innovative companies like Gânica to help the world produce the food it needs, in a more sustainable way”, says Ricard.

Francisco Jardim, founding partner of SP Ventures, says that Mosaic's interest in Gânica proves its concern about investing in a high-impact business that meets the ESG agenda in agribusiness. For him, the growing interest of farmers of all sizes in practicing sustainable agriculture that guarantees the production of healthier food and, at the same time, the preservation of the environment is notable.

“And it is precisely to meet this new demand in the field that Gânica has been developing bio-inputs that are increasingly sought after by producers. The partnership with universities and research institutions was fundamental for the company to develop and deliver innovation for the Brazilian agricultural sector", adds Jardim.

According to the CEO of Nitro, another investor, the bioinputs segment has been a reality in Brazilian agriculture, growing at significant and consistent rates. “This meets Nitro’s interest in being a relevant player in the agro sector, contributing with solutions that are essential for the farmer and meets the demands related to sustainability in the production of food, fiber and energy”, says Marcos Cruz.

Bioinputs market is estimated at R＄ 1,7 billion

According to a survey by Spark Intelligence Strategic consultancy, the bioinputs market reached R＄ 1,7 billion in the 2020 harvest, which represents a growth of 37% over the previous year.

In search of improving its biological solutions using its own technologies, Gânica built a biofactory in Piracicaba in 2017. The plant has a team made up of experts in microbiology, biotechnology, fermentation and genetics. The research is carried out in partnership with renowned institutions and universities, such as ESALQ-USP, Embrapa, Emprapii, Unesp and Instituto Biológico.

Annually, around 2 million hectares are treated using bioinputs from Gânica. Agtech serves everyone from family farmers to large agricultural companies in the country, especially in soybean, corn and sugar cane crops. Its client portfolio includes some of the main companies in the sugar-energy sector and large agribusiness industries. The company has 120 employees spread across the country and 40 new hires are planned by the end of the year.

*Note: Completion of the investment is still subject to approval by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE).